Saint Charles Lwanga was one of 22 Ugandan martyrs who converted from paganism. Though he was baptized the night before being put to death, he became a moral leader. He was the chief of the royal pages and was considered the strongest athlete of the court. He was also known as “the most handsome man of the Kingdom of the Uganda.” He instructed his friends in the Catholic Faith and he personally baptized boy pages. He inspired and encouraged his companions to remain chaste and faithful. He protected his companions, ages 13-30, from the immoral acts and ritualistic homosexual demands of the Babandan ruler, Mwanga.
Mwanga was a superstitious pagan king who originally was tolerant of Catholicism. However, his chief assistant, Katikiro, slowly convinced him that Christians were a threat to his rule. The premise was if these Christians would not bow to him, nor make sacrifices to their pagan god, nor pillage, massacre, nor make war, what would happen if his whole kingdom converted to Catholicism?
When Charles was sentenced to death, he seemed very peaceful, one might even say, cheerful. He was to be executed by being burnt to death. While the pyre was being prepared, he asked to be untied so that he could arrange the sticks. He then lay down upon them. When the executioner said that Charles would be burned slowly so death, Charles replied by saying that he was very glad to be dying for the True Faith. He made no cry of pain but just twisted and moaned, “Kotanda! (O my God!).” He was burned to death by Mwanga’s order on June 3, 1886. Pope Paul VI canonized Charles Lwanga and his companions on June 22,1964. We celebrate his memorial on June 3rd of the Roman Calendar. Charles is the Patron of the African Youth of Catholic Action.
Photo credit: Philipp Jakob via Wikimedia Commons
St. Charles, please intercede for my son to get his dream job, this we ask in Jesus name, keep us safe and protect us from harm
St. Charles You know my needs, Please pray for me.
St. Charles, pls intercede for me to get a good job and for the spirt of patience.
st.Charles Lwanga help us to be united together as a family.
St. Charles Lwanga, pray for my need at this hour
Please interced for us to be strong in our faith and grant us the wisdom to do what the Lord has put forth for us.
St Charles Lwanga, pray for us
strengthen the faith of inspiration for those who suffer physically and spiritually, because of Jesus who became the backbone of his life
Pray for my sucess
Please take care of my daughter & I travel from USA to Hoima June 17-July 6 for a mission trip to Bulindi parish
Praying for world peace, through Christ our Lord, Amen.
St.Charles Please pray for me and my Brother. And to save him from the situation he is in.
St Charles and martyrs please for me and my family
St. Charles pray for me, for God to grant my heart desires.
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Saint Charles Lwanga and the Ugandan Martyrs, pray for the Catholic Church.
St. Charles—- please intercede for all of us who are suffering. Please may we all be patient and have the courage to carry our cross until Jesus answers our prayers. Amen!
St Charles. & fellow Martyrs, pray for me that I over come all my sinfull ways & thoughts. Pray for my family. Amen
St. Charles Lwanga and the Ugandan Martyrs, please my family and me.
SAINT CHARLES. of. LWANGA ,,,,,,,,,,,,,PRAY. FOR. THOSE. WHO. HAVE………NO……CHOICES. IN. THIS. LIFE,,,,,or,,,,,,So
THEY. THINK. !!!!!!!!!!
YOU,,,,ARE,,,,ALIVE….and……WELL…..in……GOD’S……HEAVEN………….AND….STILL….DOING….HIS…..WORK. !!!!!!!!!!! WE
GIVE. WORDS. of. THANKSGIVING……….and…….WE. PRAY. UNTO…..YOU !!!!!!!! STOP…….THIS…….HATRED…….of……
ALL. PEOPLE,,,,,,,,,of,,,,,,,DIFFERENT……………. COLOR……DIFFERENT……BELIEFS……..DIFFERENT………THINKING!!!?!!!!!
THERE….IS….BUT….ONE…..SUPERIOR…….AND…..LOVING…..GOD………ALMIGHTY. !!!!!!!!!
AND…..HE….IS…..HERE…..FOR…….YOU……..AND…….ME. !!!!!!!!!!!?
[…] witness of Saint Charles Lwanga and The Ugandan Martyrs, who were martyred for resisting “the immoral acts and ritualistic homosexual demands of the […]
St. Charles Lwangwa pray for me and my family for peace and progress and against evil.
We hope this should and must be an inspiration to the American policemen who target Black people for sacrifice on the altar of racism. It is a very serious matter. If these policemen should stop a bit and think the level of destruction and devastation they are doing to their own souls they would shudder in fright and stop these avoidable murders. Committing murder on this Earth is not the end. At the end of a murderer’s life on this Earth, the consequence of this murder will stare him/her on the face; and he/she can never escape the consequences of this murderous act. It is a terrible consequence. May God have mercy on us! Amen!
Yes, Joseph. May God have mercy on us.
Saint Charles Lwanga pray for us
Dear St. Charles Lwanga & Companions:
Please pray for the family of George Floyd, and all of his supporters who try to have peaceful demonstrations. This sort of treatment has GOT to stop. Many of our young people have been killed over the years, with NO conclusion. Thank you.